Thread: Need some reassurance

Originally Posted by pinklather

Hey Seth,

A few things bear mentioning - perhaps first - you don't want to keep shaving over the cuts. They'll never heal if you do and will scar. After lathering, take your finer and remove the lather from the nick area so you keep a visual on where not to stroke. Also, Lynn once suggested a dab of neosporin after the shave, and it seems to take about a day off the healing process.

I don't remember seeing anything about how you bought the razor - who did the edge? New guys need better edges than experienced guys. They're also *alot* harder on edges w/ both their developing skills in stropping and in the actual shave stroke itself. Pls. let us know how your razor got its edge.

When I started, I was amazed how many guys spoke of taking the first 6 mo. to learn how to shave. You're learning an incredibly more detailed level of both your facial topography and of all the crazy twists and turns the lay of your beard takes. You're learning all the strange stretches and stroke required to really clean each part of your face/neck. This used to be knowledge passed from father to son in every house. King Gillete made it so we never had to learn any of this - and would be giving him money every week or month. So alot of the art is recovering this knowledge.

On keeping your edge - look up Glen's (gssixgun) 2/11 beginner's tips on stropping. Its really helpful. When starting, laying the strop on a flat, hard surface can reduce the variables that go into a good stropping - which is the only thing as critical as the shaving skills. Stropping didn't come easily to me. That's being kind - I destroyed 5 strops. My stropping DULLED my edges. Its not uncommon.

Should you need your edge touched-up, PM me. I'll do for just the postage & envelope cost to get it back to you. If you bought from SRD or someplace that includes honing, it might be an idea. If not now - when the time comes.

It doesn't come overnight, but it does come, and soon you'll be getting the best shaves of you life. A shave will no longer be an annoying chore. Hang in there, Seth.

My very good friend pinklather has given you Excellent Counsel!!

It doesn't come overnight, but it does come!!

If you decide to take him up on his generous offer of free honing with just shipping costs you will find his edge Excellent!! We often exchange razors to compare our edges and I've Never Been Disapointed with what he's done!